o Nellie's face.

"Yes?" she answered, after a pause.

Fred saw that she was slightly embarrassed, and knew she was thinking of
the somewhat sarcastic letter he had sent her.

"Nellie, I hope you will forget my letter," he said.

"I should be glad to, if I could."

"I am sorry I sent it."

"I am sorry you had cause to send it."

"I was hasty; but it is past now. I hope you will not let it trouble
you."

"If I will forget the letter, will you forget what caused you to send
it?"

"I shall be only too glad to do so."

"Truly?"

"Here is my hand on it."

"Shall we now be as good friends as ever?" asked Nellie, as she withdrew
her hand.

"I sincerely hope so, and--even better," he added hesitatingly.

Nellie's eyes dropped, and a sweet blush stole over her face.

"We were very good friends before, I thought," she answered.

"So we were, but--but--well, I shall prize your friendship more highly
since learning how much I missed it."

Nellie now brought her fan into requisition.

"And you will never write me any more sarcastic letters?"

"No."

Here the conversation was interrupted by the entrance of Dr. Dutton.

"Ah! good evening, Fred. I am sorry to have kept you waiting so long,
but I hope Nellie has entertained you well."

Fred arose, blushed, and took the doctor's hand. Why he blushed he
didn't know, but he could feel his cheeks burn.

"Oh, yes, I have been well entertained, thank you, but I didn't realize
that I was waiting for you."

"Why, didn't Nellie tell you?"

"No, sir."

"I forgot to say you wanted to see him, we were so busy talking," put in
Nellie.

"Oh, that's it; well, all right. But, Fred, I have been hearing good
reports of you," the doctor continued.

"I am glad to know that, and I hope I merit them," replied Fred
modestly.

"I think there is no doubt of it."

"It is refreshing to hear you say so after knowing all the bad reports
that have been circulated against me during the last few weeks."

"Never mind, my boy; you have stood the fire nobly, and are surely
winning the fight."

Fred's heart leaped with joy at these reassuring words from the doctor.

"Do you think so?" he said, at length.

"There is very little doubt of it, and I think I have a surprise for
you," taking from his pocket the paper Nellie had found and placing it
in Fred's hands.

Our young hero quickly ran his eye over it, and was amazed at its
contents. It read thus:

MAPLETON, Novem